Thomas Jefferson Independent
| Thomas Jefferson Independent | |
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|---|---|
| Location: Joplin, MO | |
| Coaches | Justin Kleinheider |
| State Championships | 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 MSHSAA Class 1 |
| National Appearances | 2012 HSNCT |
| Program Status | Active |
| School Size | 72 (MSHSAA enrollment: grades 9-11 in March 2022) |
| NAQT Page | link |
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, often referred to as Thomas Jefferson or TJ, is a school located in Joplin, MO. Thomas Jefferson was the dominant team in Class 1 of MSHSAA competition for much of the 2000s and 2010s, winning ten state titles from 2002-2017.
Conference Performance
Thomas Jefferson competes in the Ozark 7 Conference against 6 other area schools, including Purdy and McAuley Catholic. TJ has won both the regular season and conference tournament titles in the Ozark 7 every year since its inception.
State Performance
After winning its first state championship in 2002, Thomas Jefferson emerged as a dominant force in Class 1 MSHSAA competition, claiming five of the next six championships. In 2009, TJ went 1-2 at the MSHSAA State tournament, losing to Stanberry 205-190 and Tarkio 210-195, marking the first time the school had not advanced to the Class 1 playoffs since 1999.
TJ reclaimed the Class 1 title in 2013 following a 5-year drought. Thomas Jefferson successfully defended its title in 2014 by winning the Class 1 championship game in overtime after regulation ended in a 380-380 tie with Pilot Grove.
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Other Notable Titles
In 2013, Thomas Jefferson won the Kansas state site of the National History Bowl. TJ defeated Chanute 350-90 in the semifinal and Iola 290-150 in the final to claim its first state history bowl championship.